Defogger

ABSTRACT

A composition for application to shiny surfaces, such as mirrors, for the prevention of fogging by breaking the surface tension of the moisture falling on the treated surface. The invention is especially applicable to dental mirrors. An embodiment of the invention in tablet form is disclosed for attachment to the wrist of a dentist or dental technician for ease of application to dental mirrors, and the method of treatment of mirrors is described.

United States Patent 1191 Wolf Sept. 2, 1975 DEFOGGER 1,139,942 5/1915 Wightman et a1 224/28 R 1,344,686 6/1920 Fully.... 106 13 [76] Inventor: 9 W ,1451 Glacler 3,099,032 7/1963 Webb 401 8 Minneapolis, Mmn. 55421 22 Filed; July 2 1973 Primary ExaminerAlbert .l. Makay App]. No.: 375,608

224/5 R, 5 A, 5 B; 106/13; 118/315, 204; 401/6, 7, 8; 15/227; 32/1, 69

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 660,886 10/1900 Bryan 401/7 Assistant Examinerlerold M. Forsberg [57] ABSTRACT A composition for application to shiny surfaces, such as mirrors, for the prevention of fogging by breaking the surface tension of the moisture falling on the treated surface. The invention is especially applicable to dental mirrors. An embodiment of the invention in tablet form is disclosed for attachment to the wrist of a dentist or dental technician for ease of application to dental mirrors, and the method of treatment of mirrors is described.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 DEFOGGER This invention is directed to a composition useful for the treatment of smooth shiny or polished surfaces for the prevention of fogging thereof upon exposure to warm vapors and water, along with the method of preparing the composition in tablet form and the method of application to surfaces for prevention of fogging. More particularly, the invention is directed to a composition and method for the prevention of fogging and breaking of surface tension of dental mirrors and to a particular means adapted to be worn on the wrist to hold a supply of the defogger composition in tablet form Within easy reach of a dentist or dental technician for application to a dental mirror.

The dental mirror is one of the most constantly used tools of the dental profession. When a dentist treats a patient, he generally uses a dental handpiece with a water or water and air coolant spray. The droplets of water spray, tooth structure, old restorative material and debris being removed will cling to the mirror thereby obscuring the field of vision of the dentist or dental technician as viewed in the mirror unless a surface tension breaker is applied. The result is that much time is needlessly spent clearing the mirror of fog and debris. Each time this is done, it is then necessary to reposition the mirror and the dental instrument being used in thepatients mouth before work can be resumedv The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple sanitary dependable means by which the dental mirror or similar surface may be treated to prevent fogging.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a tablet holder adapted to be worn as a wristlet or bracelet for supporting a supply of defogger material;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22 of FIG. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing generally the manner in which the wristlet or bracelet is worn relative to the hand holding a dental mirror;

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing one manner in which the tablet of defogging material is slightly moistened;

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the manner in which a small amount of the defogging material is transferred to the opposite hand; and

FIG. 6 is a similar view showing the manner in which the transferred defogger material is applied to the mirror surface.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a wristlet or bracelet device, indicated generally at 10, and comprising a plate member 11, which is preferably arcuately formed in the longitudinal direction for comfortable engagement with the wrist. Plate member 1 1 is provided with a centrally disposed flat area or plateau 12 on the outer surface, formed by stamping or molding and adapted to support a tablet 14 of defogger material adhered thereto by a layer of adhesive 15, preferably pressuresensitive.

Arcuate plate 11 is slightly longer than it is'wide and is provided with a pair of transverse slots 16 and 17 adjacent the opposite ends. A band of strap 18 is secured to the plate through the slots. As is apparent, the device resembles a wrist watch. The strap or band 18 may be,

for example, an expandable wristwatch band'or a cloth or leather strap or simply a length of elastic tape.

Plate 11 may be formed from durable material, such as stainless steel, for example, and adapted to use replacement tablets 14 as the tablets become used up. In this instance, the device is desirably provided with a durable wrist band or strap such as an expandable metallic wrist watch band or the like. Alternatively, the plate may be formed from inexpensive and less durable material, such as molded from synthetic resinous material and provided with a simple elastic wrist band. In this instance, the entire unit may be disposable and discarded when the initial tablet of defogging material is used up.

The defogging material consists essentially of a mixture of baking soda and corn starch, desirably colored and flavored, and compressed into a tablet. The ingreclients are intimately admixed in proportion of between about 4.5 to 5.5 parts by volume of baking soda and 1.8 to 2.2 parts by volume of corn starch. For tableting, these amounts of soda and starch are added to between about 1.35 to 1.65 parts by volume ofwater. For example, a typical defogging formulation comprises the following: 5 cups (about 34 oz.) sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), 2 cups (about 10 02.) corn starch, l tablespoon (0.5 oz.) liquid food coloring, and 1 tablespoon (0.5 oz.) liquid food flavoring. This material is blended into 1 /2 cups (12 oz.) of water and heated for about four minutes to at least partially gelatinize the starch. The mixture is then cooled, pressed into tablet form and baked or air dried. Any suitable color may optionally be used, preferably in pastel shades. Mint, Wintergreen, fruit flavors, and the like, may also optionally be used.

One side of the tablet is then provided with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the tablet is pressed onto the raised level plateau 12 of plate 11. For distribution to the dental profession for use with durable forms of wristlet or bracelet, the tablets are desirably packaged by being detachably affixed by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to a backing strip having a releasable surface to which the adhesive adheres only lightly so that the tablet may be readily removed and then securely attached to the wristlet plate 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, the defogger device used for clearing of dental mirrors is placed on the arm of the dental professional, desirably on the ventral side ofthe hand above the base of the thumb, at the point where the hand articulates with the wrist. In the case of a right-handed person, the defogger wristlet is placed on the left hand 20 which holds the handle 21 supporting the dental mirror 22. A left-handed person places the wristlet on the right hand. The tablet 14 of defogger material is moistened slightly, as by means of the spray of the air turbine 23 held in the right hand 24, as shown in FIG. 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, while the surface of tablet 14 is still moist, a small amount of defogging material is picked up on the dorsal side edge of the palm of the right hand by rubbing the side of the hand slightly over the tablet. Finally, a thin film of the defogger material is transferred from the side of the hand to the mirror 22 by rubbing the reflective surface of the mirror against the side of the hand, as shown in FIG. 6.

Ordinarily one treatment is all that is required to keep the mirror clear for each patient. However, if further treatment is necessary, the defogger material is always available in the operating zone. The use of the defogger wristlet provides a sanitary efficient method of keeping the mirror clear.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A defogger wristlet for treatment of dental mirrors comprising:

A. a wrist encircling means including a plate and a fastening means B. said fastening means is secured to the ends of said plate for attachment of the same to a wrist, and

C. a tablet of defogger material consisting essentially of an intimate admixture of bicarbonate of soda and at least partially gelatinized corn starch and means to affix said tablet to one side of said plate between the ends thereof, wherein transfer of a thin film of the defogger material to the surface of the dental mirror will prevent fogging of the mirror.

2. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said plate is arcuate to conform to the side of the wrist.

B. the central portion of said plate, to which said tablet of defogger material is affixed. is flat, and

C. said bicarbonate of soda and corn starch are present in said tablet in the proportion of about 4.5 to 5.5 parts by volume of soda and about 1.8 to 2.2 parts by volume of starch.

3. A defogger wristlet according to claim 2 further characterized in that:

A. said plate is provided with a pair of transverse slots adjacent the ends thereof. and

B. said fastening means is a band secured in said slots.

4. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that said bicarbonate of soda and corn starch are present in said tablet in the proportion of about 4.5 to 5.5 parts by volume of soda and about 1.8 to 2.2 parts by volume of starch.

5. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that a layer of pressuresensitive adhesive is present between said plate and said tablet.

6. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said plate is provided with a pair of transverse parallel slots adjacent to and spaced inwardly from the ends thereof, and

B. said fastening means is a band secured in said slots.

* =l =l l UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,902,245

DATED September 2, 1975 INV ENTOR(S) Hugo M. Wolf It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 65, "of" should be --or-.

Column 2, line 60, "slightly" should be -1ightly-.

Signed and Sealed this twenty-eight D a of October 1 975 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParents and Trademarks 

1. A DEFOGGER WRISTLET FOR TREATMENT OF DENTAL MIRRORS COMPRISING: A. A WRIST ENCRICLING MEANS INCLUDING A PLATE AND A FASTENING MEANS B. SAID FASTENING MEANS IS SECURED TO THE ENDS OF SAID PLATE FOR ATTACHMENT OF THE SAME TO A WRIST, AND C. A TABLET OF DEFOGGER MATERIAL CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN INITIMATE ADMIXTURE OF BICARBONATE OF SODA AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY GELATINIZED CORN STARCH AND MEANS TO AFFIX SAID TABLET TO ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE BETWEEN THE ENDS THEREOF, WHEREIN TRANSFER OF A THIN FILM OF THE DEFOGGER MATERIAL TO THE SURFACE OF THE DENTAL MIRROR WILL PREVENT FOGGING OF THE NIRROR.
 2. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that: A. said plate is arcuate to conform to the side of the wrist. B. the central portion of said plate, to which said tablet of defogger material is affixed, is flat, and C. said bicarbonate of soda and corn starch are present in said tablet in the proportion of about 4.5 to 5.5 parts by volume of soda and about 1.8 to 2.2 parts by volume of starch.
 3. A defogger wristlet according to claim 2 further characterized in that: A. said plate is provided with a pair of transverse slots adjacent the ends thereof, and B. said fastening means is a band secured in said slots.
 4. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that said bicarbonate of soda and corn starch are present in said tablet in the proportion of about 4.5 to 5.5 parts by volume of soda and about 1.8 to 2.2 parts by volume of starch.
 5. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive is present between said plate and said tablet.
 6. A defogger wristlet according to claim 1 further characterized in that: A. said plate is provided with a pair of transverse parallel slots adjacent to and spaced inwardly from the ends thereof, and B. said fastening means is a band secured in said slots. 